No Images? Click here WEST SIDE STORY BOUND FOR SYDNEYSydney will play host to one of the world’s greatest pieces of theatre, the much-loved West Side Story, when it takes to the stage at Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour next year. Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall said the production was secured by the NSW Government via its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW, and will open in March 2019 for an exclusive four-week season. “Every year we’re securing awe-inspiring performances exclusively for Sydney through Handa Opera, and I am delighted to see this world-famous production make its way to Australia’s Major Events State,” Mr Marshall said. “We expect West Side Story to attract around 10,000 overnight visitors to Sydney, generating more than $10 million in visitor expenditure for NSW.” West Side Story premiered on Broadway in 1957 with music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. The story is inspired by Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, with the action set in 1950s New York City. The production will play on a magnificent stage at Fleet Steeps, Mrs Macquarie’s Point, from 22 March to 21 April 2019. Image: Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour 2018 production of La Bohème. Credit: Opera Australia/Hamilton Lund. SYDNEY SCOOPS TOP SPOT IN TRAVEL AWARDSSydney has once again been voted the number one city in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific in the annual Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards.Travel + Leisure readers have consistently named the State capital the best city in Australia for the past 23 years. Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall said, “I’m delighted to see that Sydney has once again taken out the number one ranking, proving that our iconic landmarks, stunning beaches, outstanding events and festivals and first-class food and wine experiences continue to entice international visitors. “In the most recent round of the International Visitor Survey NSW and Sydney achieved record results, ranking as the number one State and city in Australia in terms of international visitors, nights and expenditure and the United States represents an important share of this visitor market for NSW. “In the year ended December 2017, we welcomed 457,000 overnight visitors from the US (up 7.2%) who spent $774 million (up 3.2%).” MANTRA ALBURY HOTEL OPENS DOORSThe $40 million Mantra Albury Hotel has officially opened its doors, the first hotel to open in Albury in three years. The new hotel is spread over eight levels with 146 one and two bedroom studios and suites in the Albury CBD with views out to the Bogong High Plains and Victorian Alps. Amenities include La Tierra restaurant and bar, 24-hour reception, internet lounge, fully equipped gymnasium, conferencing and events facilities that can cater for more than 200 people, and an exclusive top floor Sky Lounge available for hire. Mantra Executive Director of Operations Mark Hodge said, “Mantra Hotel Albury currently employs more than 40 full time staff and is expected to inject more than $7 million into the local economy each year. The hotel will play a key role in further elevating Albury’s profile and attractiveness as a leisure and business destination as the hotel appeals and caters to a range of domestic travellers seeking a contemporary hotel stay in this beautiful Riverina district.” To find out more or to book, visit www.mantrahotels.com. COUNTDOWN ON FOR INVICTUS GAMES SYDNEYThe countdown is on for Invictus Games Sydney, with less than 100 days to go before the Opening Ceremony. The Games will bring more than 500 service personnel from 18 nations to compete over eight days in 11 sports such as swimming, wheelchair rugby, and sailing in Sydney. Minister for Veterans Affairs David Elliott said the Games confirms NSW’s reputation as the home of major events and continuing Sydney’s sporting legacy from the 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games. “The spirit of the Anzac lives on in these athletes at a time when we are commemorating the Centenary of the end of World War I and the service and sacrifice of Australia’s servicemen and women,” Mr Elliott said. In 2016, the NSW Government launched a successful bid to host the Games in Sydney. The Games start on Saturday, October 20 and tickets start from $20. Fans can secure their place in the stands here. Image Credit: Invictus Games Sydney. LIVE LIKE A LOCAL AT THE LITTLE ALBIONThe newly opened Little Albion Guest House in Surry Hills is aiming to redefine the small hotel category, by offering the service and amenities of a luxury boutique hotel with the comforts of home. Guests are encouraged to treat the property like it is their home, taking drinks and snacks from the honour bar to enjoy on the roof terrace with city views. The property was designed and developed by 8HOTELS and builder/designer Connie Alessi, in consultation with Cressida Kennedy, and is largely influenced by 1920s and 1970s styles, merging a heritage building with new construction. Paul Fischmann, Founder and CEO of 8Hotels said, “Little Albion Guest House was created with the needs of today’s luxury travellers in the front of our minds, which are the authenticity of a local experience, alongside world-class boutique hotel service.” Little Albion has also joined forces with AirBnB to be the first ‘hotel’ that can be exclusively booked out via the AirBnB platform. The property is available to be booked out as a ‘whole hotel’, with prices starting from $15,000 per night. To book, visit www.littlealbion.com.au. SCHOLARSHIP BOOST FOR REGIONAL NSW STUDENTSDestination NSW and Meetings & Events Australia (MEA) have awarded 18 Diploma of Event Management scholarships to help upskill and create more job opportunities for those living in rural and regional NSW. Minister for Tourism and Major Events Adam Marshall said the scholarship program, which is part of Destination NSW’s partnership with MEA, Australia’s peak industry body for business events, received almost 80 applications since opening in February this year. “Due to the large volume of high-quality applications, we are offering three Diploma of Event Management scholarships for each of our six Destination Networks, which is 12 more than we originally intended,” Mr Marshall said. “It’s clear that people across rural and regional NSW are looking for extra support to expand and develop their skills in event management, and the MEA scholarship program will help them do this while delivering event growth in their local area.” This year’s recipients were selected by a panel, which included representatives from Destination NSW, MEA and the six Destination Networks. Applications are currently closed and the list of recipients can be found here. GET YOUR BUSINESS EXPORT-READYDestination NSW runs export-ready workshops for the State’s tourism industry as part of the NSW First Workshop Program. These workshops are designed to educate and inform Sydney and Regional NSW tourism businesses on the steps needed to develop and sell export-ready tourism products to the international travel trade. Destination NSW has released the dates and locations for the next four Inbound Strategy Workshops, which have been designed to provide businesses with market insights and tips on how to tailor products suitable for different markets, such as the United States and China, developing trade sales materials and polishing business processes. These workshops are suitable for businesses that have been operating for at least a year and have previously attended an Export Ready 101 Workshop or watched the webcast. Tourism businesses that are interested in furthering their knowledge of the China market can also refer to the Destination NSW China Market Toolkit. The next Inbound Strategy Workshop is taking place in Port Macquarie on 1 August 2018. Click here to register for a 2018 workshop and here to find out more about targeting international visitors. SYDNEY WEEKENDER VISITS NSWPopular Channel 7 travel show Sydney Weekender will be featuring the Murray River, Griffith, Tumbarumba and Wagga Wagga in an episode airing at 5.30pm on 15 July. The show’s hosts will experience local food and wine, outdoor activities, accommodation and tours in the region. This episode is one of six Destination NSW specials airing in 2018 on Sydney Weekender as part of the NSW Government’s strategy to promote regional NSW’s top tourism destinations. TODAY SHOW VISITS BRAIDWOOD AND KINGSCLIFFBraidwood and Kingscliff were featured in Channel 9’s Today Show live weather broadcasts this week, secured as part of Destination NSW’s regional familiarisation campaign. As part of the campaign, Destination NSW has secured a day of weather crosses with the Today Show in each Destination Network. Temora in the Riverina will be the final destination to air. NSW ARCHITECTURE AWARD FOR AUSTRALIAN MUSEUMThe Australian Museum and Design 5 Architects were last week named Winners for Heritage and Conservation in the NSW Architecture Awards 2018 presented by the Institute of Architects for the Westpac Long Gallery restoration. The $9 million Long Gallery opened at the Australian Museum in October last year. The NSW Architecture Awards honour outstanding achievements in design excellence. For a full list of winners, click here. |